DailyHalacha.com for Mobile Devices Now Available

Click Here to Sponsor Daily Halacha
"Delivered to Over 6000 Registered Recipients Each Day"

      
(File size: 406 KB)
Talking or Thinking About One's Business on Shabbat

The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (150) establishes the prohibition against speaking about one's business operations on Shabbat. This prohibition is derived from a verse in the Book of Yeshayahu (58:13), where the prophet speaks about refraining on Shabbat "Mi'metzo Cheftzecha Ve'daber Davar" ("from pursuing your needs and speaking of matters"), which is interpreted as referring to speaking of one's professional and commercial pursuits.

Accordingly, the Shulchan Aruch rules (306:8) that one may not speak of business-related matters on Shabbat. Thinking about such matters in one's mind, he adds, is, strictly speaking, permissible, though due to the obligation of Oneg Shabbat (enjoying oneself on Shabbat) it is a Mitzva to avoid even thinking about one's business on Shabbat. The Shulchan Aruch writes that on Shabbat one should feel as though all his work has been completed and he has no lingering or outstanding responsibilities that should concern him. The Torah instructs, "Six days shall you labor and perform all your work" (Shemot 20:9). As the Midrash notes, a person can never be said to have performed "all his work"; one always has more work that he can do. The Midrash explains that the Torah here demands that on Shabbat one look upon his work as having been completed, and he should therefore not even think about any of his professional responsibilities. Particularly, if thinking of one's business causes stress and anxiety, he must avoid thinking of such matters on Shabbat.

Summary: Halacha forbids speaking of business-related matters on Shabbat. Thinking about such matters is technically allowed, though it is a Mitzva to feel on Shabbat as though all his work is completed, especially if thinking of his business will cause him anxiety.

 


Recent Daily Halachot...
Hanukah – May One Use the Light of the Hanukah Candles if There’s a Power Failure?
Hanukah – The Order of Preference When Choosing a Menorah; Using Coagulated Oil
Hanukah Candles – The Proper Time for Lighting, and the Suitable Oils and Wicks
Hanukah – May Inedible Olive Oil be Used for Hanukah Candle Lighting?
Hanukah – If One is Unsure Whether the Candles Will Burn for a Half-Hour
Hanukah – Candle Lighting When Staying in a Hotel
If One’s Hanukah Candles Were Extinguished Shortly After Lighting
Hanukah – Extinguishing or Using the Candles After a Half-Hour; Reusing the Previous Night’s Wicks; Lighting One Candle From Another
Chanukah- the Beracha Recited Before Hallel; Women's Recitation of Hallel
Al Ha’nisim – If One Forgot to Recite Al Ha’nisim or Recited it in the Wrong Place
Hanukah – Reciting a Beracha Over Hallel; the Times When Hallel May be Recited; Reciting "Mizmor Shir Hanukat Habayit"
Hanukah Candle Lighting on Ereb Shabbat and Mosa’eh Shabbat
The Hanukah Miracle; Customs Regarding Working and Festive Meals During Hanukah
Hanukah – Where Should a Guest Light if He Will be Returning Home That Night?
Hanukah – The Shamosh
Page of 239
3585 Halachot found